Henrietta Hay's Column

Somebody asked me the other day what I think of Hillary. That's easy. I think Hillary Rodham Clinton is a national treasure, and that she is opening a door for all future first ladies and for all women.

For as many years as I can remember - and that's a lot of years - First Lady Bashing has been a great American Tradition, right up there with Mom and Apple Pie. First ladies were expected to be silent accessories for their men, like neckties and cuff links and hats. Their function was to gaze adoringly at their husbands (like Nancy Reagan), to set styles in fashion (like Jackie Kennedy), to overcome personal adversity (like Betty Ford). They were allowed to have issues to pursue, but the issues were carefully selected by the political good old boys. Heaven help them if they ever had any original ideas or spoke their minds in public.

I learned First Lady Bashing at my mother's knee. My mother thought Eleanor Roosevelt was a busybody and a pushy woman who should stay at home and mind her own business - whatever that was. Instead, Mrs. Roosevelt traveled extensively, visited American troops all over the world, was an accomplished speaker and was a U. S. delegate to the United Nations. In spite of all this, or rather because of it, she was intensely disliked by a lot of Americans. Now, fifty years later, she has been selected by the National Women's Hall of Fame as the most influential woman of the 20th century, which says something about bashing.

Whether from fear of criticism, natural inclination or political pressure, first ladies since Eleanor have stayed mostly in the shade of their husbands, wielding their influence in private. But this year something new has been added. We have a first lady who has broken the mold and is doing what she does best. She is being herself--a wife and mother and hostess, but in addition, a competent, intelligent, highly trained attorney who is used to working hard and getting things done. We don't know for sure what to bash her for. Do we criticize her because she doesn't pick out White House china, or do we criticize her because she has brains, a law degree and leadership ability, all of which she uses? Do we object to the hat she wore to the inauguration, or the fact that she speaks her mind and accepts responsibility? Do we complain that she has a job in the government to which she was not elected or do we think she can't do it? Are we worried about what we euphemistically call her pillow talk with the President, or the fact that she has an office in the West Wing? It's all very confusing to the bashers.

So far, despite the loud bashing from a minority, a majority of Americans approve of Hillary Rodham Clinton and her activities. Ted Koppel's poll showed that 59% of Americans had a favorable opinion of her in mid-March. Playboy magazine, an authority on such matters, says she has an 82% approval rating with men, and a 68% rating with women. This is an interesting phenomenon, which may have more to do with her looks than her brain.

I am not so naive as to believe that these approval figures will continue. She will undoubtedly fail in some of her activities and there will be those who don't like her even when she succeeds. She has already tackled one of the most difficult political problems we face. When the report on health care finally emerges she will be blamed by everyone who doesn't like it and a lot who do. She will probably be the most controversial first lady we have ever had. Move over, Eleanor.

With the coming of the Baby Boomers and more career women, it's time to quit First Lady Bashing as a national pastime. Probably most presidential wives in the future will be professional women, full partners with their husbands, who will refuse to fit into the adoring little bubblehead role. They will give up their careers for the duration, but they will not give up their identities. As a matter of fact, we should start giving some thought to what we will do about First Gentlemen, because sooner or later there will be one. We will need to know what to bash him for. His hairdo?

Hillary Rodham Clinton is setting precedents all over the map. America needs an activist in her job. I say go for it, Hillary.